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(OMAHA, Neb.) – Consumer Reports, one of the most respected consumer publications in the country, reports that Alegent Health has earned a three-star rating – the highest – for quality performance for heart bypass surgery outcomes.
In the magazine’s September cover story, "The Business of Healing Hearts," the Alegent Health Heart & Vascular Institute at Bergan Mercy Medical Center is reported to be in the top category when compared to heart surgery programs across the nation.
"These ratings give patients the opportunity to study our program’s performance," said Jeff Carstens, M.D., cardiologist and medical director of the Alegent Health Heart & Vascular Institute. "That kind of information will help patients and their families make the best decisions for their health using solid data from a trusted source. It’s good for patients and speaks well of the program we have built."
The Consumer Reports rating is based on data, collected between July 2009 and June 2010, from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) adult cardiac surgery database. The STS database includes more than four million surgical records and covers more than 90 percent of the nation’s surgical groups that perform adult cardiac surgery.
"There are so many variables in surgery that success often comes down to the skill and experience of each surgeon followed by the OR team, the cardiac care team, procedures and communication," said Tom Langdon, M.D., surgical director of the Alegent Health Heart & Vascular Institute. "If we do all of those things well, we can reduce complications and readmission rates, which is a win for everyone – especially the patient."
"We know that our approach to evidence-based medicine is what makes our program better than the national average," said Marie Knedler, R.N., chief operating officer at Bergan Mercy Medical Center. "Every person who works with our patients has to do their best at all times to make that program succeed."
The performance of hospital groups were measured in four key quality areas: patient survival, absence of major complications, recommended medications and optimal surgical technique.
Alegent Health President and Chief Executive Officer, Richard A. Hachten, II, FACHE, said the recognition reflects Alegent Health’s Mission to heal the mind, body and spirit of every person. "It is an honor to be recognized among the nation's best - but more importantly, we are gratified by every positive patient outcome and every life we save." About Alegent Health
With a commitment to providing high-quality care and an exceptional patient experience, Alegent Health, its 1,300 physicians and 8,600 employees are focused on caring for the body, mind and spirit of every person. Patients find a continuum of care at Alegent Health, from primary care through geriatrics. Families can also find specialty care at Alegent Health including women's and children's, cardiovascular, orthopedics, spine, oncology, physical rehabilitation and behavioral health services. With the blessing of our sponsors, Catholic Health Initiatives and Immanuel, Alegent Health has nine hospitals, freestanding inpatient psychiatric and skilled nursing facilities and more than 100 sites of service making us the largest not-for-profit, faith-based health care provider in Nebraska and southwest Iowa. For more information, visit www.alegent.com.
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